diff --git a/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go b/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go
index 91a76ba7e51..456fe0b0a30 100644
--- a/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go
+++ b/staging/src/k8s.io/component-base/metrics/options.go
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ func (o *Options) Validate() []error {
 
 // AddFlags adds flags for exposing component metrics.
 func (o *Options) AddFlags(fs *pflag.FlagSet) {
-	if o != nil {
-		o = NewOptions()
+	if o == nil {
+		return
 	}
 	fs.StringVar(&o.ShowHiddenMetricsForVersion, "show-hidden-metrics-for-version", o.ShowHiddenMetricsForVersion,
 		"The previous version for which you want to show hidden metrics. "+